PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Jeremiah Williams scored 18 points in his first home game of the season and Rutgers used a stifling defense to lead the entire game and hand No. 11 Wisconsin its fourth straight loss 78-56 on Saturday.
The Scarlet Knights (13-10, 5-7 Big Ten) scored 15 points off 12 Wisconsin turnovers to secure their third straight win. Noah Fernandes contributed 17 points and Clifford Omoruyi added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The 22-point victory was the largest margin of victory for Rutgers over a ranked opponent in program history.
Connor Essegian and AJ Storr scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, for Wisconsin (16-8, 8-5). The Badgers never got within single digits in the second half.
The Scarlet Knights shot 59% on 3’s (10 of 17).
Williams had not played a college basketball game in nearly two years (709 days) prior to being activated before Rutgers’ game at Michigan on Feb. 3. The Iowa State transfer endured a season-ending Achilles injury last year and then had to sit out 20 games this season for violating the NCAA’s gambling policy.
“I just kept working and staying positive,” Williams said. “It’s everything to play on this stage.”
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said Williams adds an intangible beyond his ability to score and distribute.
“I love his personality,” Pikiell said. “He’s always smiling, he loves practice and he’s given us a voice on the court. I’m thankful he’s out there.”
After the Badgers closed to 54-44 on a 6-0 burst, Rutgers countered with five straight points from Fernandes to move ahead 59-44 with 8:12 remaining.
Rutgers took advantage of 11 first-half turnovers by Wisconsin to build a 37-28 lead. It was the fewest points scored in the first half for the Badgers in a Big Ten game this season.
“They (Rutgers) were more aggressive than we were,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “We were way to tentative. We didn’t respond up and down the lineup. I’m disappointed how we reacted to the pressure. That’s the biggest thing.”
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Wisconsin will most likely drop in the poll after losing by six points to No. 2 Purdue, four points to Michigan and now 22 points to Rutgers.
BIG PICTURE
Wisconsin: Part of the Badgers spiral is their inability to convert 3-pointers. They were just 5 of 21 against Rutgers after going 5 of 19 against Michigan and 3 of 19 against Purdue.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have been buoyed by the return of Williams, who was out due to injury and NCAA eligibility. In his first two games prior to Saturday, both Rutgers' wins, he averaged 12 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 42.9% from the field. His emergence has provided stability to a roster that has been plagued by off-season transfers and injuries.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Hosts Ohio State on Tuesday night.
Rutgers: Hosts Northwestern on Thursday.
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